This policy adds to The Scout Association's Safeguarding Policy with guidance and procedures specific to our Group. It does not in any way replace or override it.
If this policy conflicts with The Scout Association's policy, The Scout Association's policy takes precedence, including any later updates or amendments to it.
1Purpose
1.1This policy makes sure that all young people and vulnerable adults involved in the Group are kept safe from harm.
1.2It guides all adults involved in the Group — leaders, helpers and parents — on how to recognise and report concerns about the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults.
1.3It guides young people in the Group on how to recognise and report concerns about their own welfare or the welfare of others.
2Scope
2.1This policy applies to all adults and young people involved in the Group, including leaders, helpers, parents and young people.
2.2It applies to all activities and events the Group organises, including regular meetings, camps and other events.
3Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
3.1Every adult involved in the Group must have a DBS check before they can:
3.1.1become full in their role as a leader or helper
3.1.2be left alone with young people or vulnerable adults
3.1.3have unsupervised access to young people or vulnerable adults.
3.2Every adult must renew their DBS check every five years.
3.3Every adult regularly involved in the Group must have a DBS check, even if they are not formally a leader or helper.
3.4Every adult staying overnight at a residential event must have a valid DBS check.
3.5We do not accept DBS checks obtained through other organisations, such as the NHS or schools. Every DBS check must be recorded on the Scouts membership system.
3.6The Group Lead Volunteer must refer any adult who has not obtained a DBS check, or refuses to, to the District Lead Volunteer (or their delegate) for suspension from their role.
4Training
4.1Every adult involved in the Group must complete:
4.1.1SFTY: Safety
4.1.2SAFE: Safeguarding.
4.2Every adult must renew this training every three years, or sooner if The Scout Association, the District Lead Volunteer (or their delegate) or the Group Lead Volunteer requires it.
4.3Every adult must complete the training before becoming full in their role as a leader or helper.
4.4Every adult staying overnight at a residential event must have completed the training.
4.5We do not accept safeguarding training from other organisations, such as the NHS or schools. All training must be recorded on the Scouts membership system.
4.6Safety and safeguarding training completed in another Scout Group or District is accepted in full, provided it is still valid and recorded on the Scouts membership system.
4.7The Group Lead Volunteer must refer any adult who has not completed the training, or refuses to, to the District Lead Volunteer (or their delegate) for suspension from their role.
5Reporting concerns
5.1Every adult involved in the Group is responsible for reporting any concern about the welfare of a young person or vulnerable adult to The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team.
5.2Every adult must know the Yellow Card reporting process (last updated by The Scout Association in January 2024). The Yellow Card is free from The Scout Association's website or from the Group.
5.3If a young person or vulnerable adult is at immediate risk of harm, call the police straight away. If the police have been called, The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team must also be told as soon as possible, as must the Group Lead Volunteer, who will tell the District Lead Volunteer.
5.4Concerns must be reported directly to The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team, not to another adult. Do not investigate a concern yourself, or speculate about it with other adults.
5.5If a young person or vulnerable adult tells you about a concern, you must report it to The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team, even if you do not think it is serious or credible. You must not promise them confidentiality.
5.6If a concern is disclosed to you, write it down as soon as possible and send the record to The Scout Association's Safeguarding Team. Keep it confidential and secure, and do not share it with anyone else unless required by law (for example, by the police or a court).